Two Volcanoes Organic Coffee

 

Two Volcanoes Whole Bean Coffee

on Amazon

Coffee to Ring in your NEW YEAR

Two Volcanoes Coffee: Guatemala Coffee

I've discussed my addiction to caffeine in previous posts, it's one of those things that I likely will never be able to kick.  Nor, do I necessarily wish to "kick it".  I thrive on that first cup of steaming hot "Cup of Joe" in the morning to kick start my day.  So, I will never turn away a chance to review a fabulous coffee.

Just The Facts, Please...

• Cultivated, Processed & Packed in Guatemala
• High Gourmet Coffee
• Organic Coffee
• Medium Roast Coffee
• An Amazon Product

My Thoughts:

So, we've already discussed my unhealthy addiction to the hot brown liquid, called coffee.  If you are like myself and a person who lives and breathes their early morning cup of "Brain Juice", then you can appreciate a good tasting cup of coffee and the quality in which a coffee such as the Two Volcanoes delivers to your cup each and every time you brew it.

I love a Medium Roast, I don't have to throw in as much extra stuff as I do when I drink stronger coffee's and so in the end it's a much healthier option for myself.  I am extremely pleased with the flavor I got in this coffee.  Of course, I don't drink coffee "Black" and so any coffee that I drink is going to be trashed with the sugar and the Vanilla imitation creamers in which I have to add to reach the right perfection of taste for myself.

So, it's true, I may not be able to be classified as a "True Coffee Snob", I am not intelligent enough to get all technical with a cup of coffee.  All I can say is that it tasted great, it gave me a sufficient boost of energy that I require daily, so overall I would call it a success for me.

** Please Note:  I received this product for review purposes.  However, my thoughts and opinions are 100% my OWN and honest!

Franklin's Popcorn: A SassyHolidays Tasty Treat

Please Note:  This Post Contains Affiliate Links

Franklin's Gourmet Popcorn Packs: 6oz Portion Packs

on Amazon

Franklin's Popcorn: A Tasty Treat

The holidays are just reaching their peek.  Here at SassyHoliday's Guide, we are still cranking out the fab items you should be using to help with your celebrations this year!  One of those items is a treat you can eat, my FAVORITE kind!

Just The Facts:

Franklin's Popcorn Portion Packs come in a variety of sizes, so you can find a size that works for you and your family.

• 100% Coconut Oil
• Certified Organic- Non GMO Popcorn
• Pre-portioned packs helps regulate salt usage
• Tasty!
• Available Sizes: 2 oz, 4 oz, 6 oz, 8 oz, 12 oz
• Each pack comes with 24 packs!
• Use a Popper OR Stove-top

We Eat...

So, I was thrilled with the chance to do a review on POPCORN!  Yummy!  My son probably is the biggest popcorn lover in the whole house!  He absolutely loves it.  So, when this HUGE 14 pound box of popcorn delight arrived, it didn't take him but about five minutes until he was ripping and ready to go!!  

This was our first foray into the popping fresh popcorn like this.  So, I was a little nervous about getting started.  I didn't know anything about popping popcorn on a stove.

However, it really wasn't hard at all.  The butter or "Oil" was in solid form and so, I maybe should have put it in first and let it begin to melt prior to putting in the popcorn.  Our batch, while it came out tasty, had some burnt pieces in it!  

I guess practice will make perfect. However, the taste of this popcorn was truly DELISH!  It transported me to a theatre setting with the taste of buttery popcorn!  For someone like me, these are perfect since they are portioned for me.  That way, I can't go wrong!  It has all been pre-measured for me!  So, it takes the guess work out of it!!

New Year's Treat

This would be a PERFECT snack for New Year's!  What a great way to ring in the New Year with some tasty popcorn and a movie or some fun games!!

Want Some??  

Grab your own 24 packets now on Amazon!  They are reasonably priced and if you have Amazon Prime, shipping is free!  What could be better??

Head to Amazon to get you some!

Franklin's Gourmet Popcorn Packs: 6oz Portion Packs

**  Please Note:  This item was furnished for review purposes.  However, the thoughts and opinions expressed are truly my own!

Texas Pete CHA! Like it Hot Giveaway AND Review Featuring Green Mountain Gringo

Please Note:  Texas Pete & Green Mountain Gringo KINDLY provided the ingredients.

(I was not compensated in any other way for this review)

Part of the SassyHolidays Gift Ideas: Edible

Purchase: Texas Pete CHA!

Shop: Green Mountain Gringo

Texas Pete CHA!

I absolutely have the most awesome job sometimes.  The folks at Texas Pete have just introduced their new CHA! sauce and I was one of the lucky folks chosen to try it!  (More on that in a little bit)...  When they contacted me, they asked if I'd be able to do a recipe and I have to say my mind went BLANK!  I'm not normally great at recipes....  However, we came up with a brilliant game plan, a cheese dip with their Hot Sauce and Cha! PLUS Green Mountain Gringo Salsa and Chips...

Texas Pete are known for their Hot Sauce and other line of fabulous sauces.  However, they recently launched a NEW sauce and one I have now fallen in love with, their new Sariacha sauce CHA!  Added to a chili or a dip this sauce is packs a punch of flavor!

Sassy CHA! HOT! Chili:

So, I don't know why, but sometimes my brain truly doesn't function at peak performance.  When I posted pictures of my Texas Pete goodies and mentioned to an old high school friend how I had been asked to come up with a recipe, she mentioned what about a Chili?  OH MY GOSH, How could I not think of this??  

So, I've never written a recipe before...  I'll be honest, it's really a hard task for me, as I'm from the south and we don't believe in measuring cups and such.  We live by the motto of "A little dash here, a dab of this and a touch of that"...  I can cook the same thing twenty times and it's going to taste good each time, but it might not always taste exactly the same...  So, I'm going to try my darndest to give some kind of guidelines....  :)

 The Secret To a GOOD Texas CHA Chili:  Layering the flavors....

A good chili is all about layering flavors and bringing the best out of each of the individual ingredients and then pulling it all together where it's like a flavorful explosion in your mouth.  This chili is so CHA! hot and so delish it'll make you wanna slap your momma.. (Please don't though...)

Ingredient List:

2-3 pounds Hamburger Meat

3 Cans Chili Beans (I also added White Chili Beans)

8 oz Tomato Sauce

8 oz Water

Garlic Powder

Chili Powder

Salt

Pepper
Cumin

Texas Pete Hot Sauce

Texas Pete Cha! Sauce

Oh and Some Olive Oil!!

 (Optional:  Onions)

Step One:

I just put a dash of Olive Oil in the bottom of what will be the Big Pot of Chili... Then, I go ahead and season it, I throw in some chili powder and some salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder along with some freshly chopped onions and begin to sautee them!

 Meanwhile...

So, while your onions are starting to sautee and create a delish base in which to season your meat....

Now in a seperate pot, you start your chili beans...  Throw in all the beans into one pot sprinkle in as much Chili Powder as your family can handle, add a few shots of Texas Pete Hot Sauce and Texas Pete CHA! Chili Sauce.  Add some salt, pepper, and Onion and Garlic Powder as well...  Let it sit on a medium-low heat (Unless you got all day, then you can SIMMER this stuff and make these flavors pop EVEN more!)

\

Add the BEEF...

Ok, now that your onions are JUST about translucent, you wanna add the beef (Or turkey if you prefer)....  Then of course you're going to add EVEN more chili, garlic, and onion powder to the mix!  You want to build these flavors!!!

I usually add a whole ton of Chili Powder (I like it spicy!).  You don't wanna be bashful with your spices!  

 And You MIX it all together....  

So, after you've browned your meat and your beans are nice and soft you drain the grease from the meat (Greasy chili is NOT good chili!!)....

Add Cha!

 

More CHA!

I recommend prior to actually pouring the beans in, going ahead and drizzling a tad more of that Texas Pete CHA! to the mix along with a couple of dashes of Texas Pete Hot Sauce!

Man It's Looking YUMMY...

So, by this point, you've mixed in the chili beans along with the browned beef....

Add Tomato Sauce & Water

Now is when we're going to make it an actual soup...  Now get your tomato sauce and pour it in, I suggest to use the same can as your tomato sauce or maybe a Chili Bean can to add some water to the mix (How much water is a personal preference, it's going to be quite juicy from the Bean mixture! Just be sure to add more spices the more water you add!!  You don't want it to be bland...

Repeat:  Add MORE Texas Pete CHA! and Hot Sauce PLUS more Chili Powder, Garlic and Onion Powder....

Let Simmer....

The ingredients have now been added and so you can either at this point, relax... OR you can work on a delicious Gringo / Cha Cheese Dip!

CHA Gringo Dip:

Ingredients:

16 oz Block of Velveeta (Or 8 oz for half)

16 oz jar of Green Mountain Gringo Salsa

Texas Pete CHA!

Texas Pete Hot Sauce

served best with:

Green Mountain Gringo Chips

OVER MEDIUM HEAT:

Melt Cheese and Salsa

For Added Spice:  

Add quite a few dashes of Texas Pete Hot Sauce

Add a couple drizzles of Texas Pete CHA!

Continuously stir to prevent cheese from scorching..... 

Once cheese has melted fully and is warm, removed from heat...

Serve Hot...

Sassy CHA Chili with Gringo CHA! Cheese Dip!

Now ENJOY!  Once you have completed all of the above steps, pat yourself on the back for a job well done.  (NOTE:  A Sassy Recommendation is to hide a bowl of chili for yourself, because if not your children will demolish the pot and leave you with no leftovers....)

Ok, I have always known chili was one of the best dishes I make.  It's just something I've done well (my momma taught me...), however this was handsdown THE BEST chili!!  I cooked close to THREE pounds of chili and used three bans of beans and when I went back tonight for a bowl all that was left was just barely enough to cover the surface of a teeny tiny bowl....

This stuff was finger lickin' good!  It had such a nice flavor.  I've never used Texas Pete Hot Sauce, let alone CHA! to my chili, but you can gurantee it will become a staple.  I will be cooking another batch tomorrow since I was left with NONE!!!

This is a sensational meal to make during the holidays, there's a lot of reasons why:

• A little can go a long way!
• Great for Christmas Parties
• Great to Make and Freeze for BUSY times!!
• Great for Leftovers
• Versatile!

The cheese dip added with the Chili made such a delicious combination!   The chips were a tasty addition as well.  Trust me, this meal was a huge success in my house.  Not a drop is left just 24 hours later..... I'm already planning my next pot of chili for tomorrow!!

We made it a family night...  Eating our delicious chili and dip and playing a fun, new game!!!  Click Here to checkout my review  PLUS enter the Giveaway of "The Game Chef's" Rollick.  It made for a TRULY winning combination!

SassyHolidays Gift Idea:

Ok, So.... This may seem a bit of an odd gift idea.  However, there are a couple of reasons why I chose this for the Guide....

  #1 If you have a foodie in your life, they will LOVE the new Texas Pete Cha! Sriacha sauce (It is divine!!!) and added with a pretty platter this bundle truly does make a sensational gift idea....

 #2  I also put this in the Guide, because the holidays are SUCH a hectic time of the year that having these ingredients on hand to make some wonderful tasty, but EASY Peasy meals like chili, dip, tacos truly can come in handy when your so busy...  It leaves a lot of the meal planning at the wayside...  Don't bog yourself down with creating four star dinner's for your family this holiday season, but add some items that are quick and easy AND ALSO popular and tasty!!  They will love you for it and you will love the extra time to SHOP!

GIVEAWAY:

Alright y'all I know y'all really only care about this giveaway!  Here you go!!  One lucky winner will receive the CHA! / Gringo Bundle!!!

Texas Pete / Green Mountain Gringo Snack Pack

Try The World: Review PLUS COUPON CODE

Part of the SassyHolidays Gift Ideas:  Edible, Women, Men

Try The World:  Goes to Paris

What It IS:  

Try the World is a bi-monthly subscription service.  It's a cultural culinary adventure.  Taking you on a new culinary destination every two months...  Discover some new favorites with Try The World.

Cost:  $39.99

SAVE:  30% off your FIRST box with CODE:  SASSYTRAVELS30

My Adventures in Paris....  From my Home...

Ok, so anyone who knows me or my blog know I'm OBSESSED with subscription services...  And this is no exception!!  I was honored when given the opportunity to try this service for myself.

The folks at Try The World VERY kindly sent me a box to review.  However, please know that I always give you my honest thoughts and opinions when discussing these products and services!

I am in love with food.  Although, if you were to look at me, you would think that maybe not.  However, you would be wrong.  I don't know what it is about growing up, and your taste buds expanding, but it's amazing the things that you find yourself falling in love with when previously you wouldn't have deigned to try.

At $39.99, this is a slightly higher subscription service, but the value that you get with that price, is astounding!  It truly is a culinary journey!

Culture Guide

For starters, you get this beautifully colored book that helps to expand your culinary adventure by taking you even further inside the chosen destination.

Inside the pages you find information on the foods inside your box.  It's like a tour guide of your little culinary adventure.

 La Palais Des Thes (Fine Tea)

Ok, so, I have NOT tried this yet...  I'm not a "Hot" tea drinker...  But, these are beautifully wrapped and they probably are delightful teas...  For the hot tea drinker...

It says to enjoy hot or cold... SO, I suppose I can try it one day!

 Domaine Des Vignes: Dijon Mustard

Ok, so this was something that surprised me.  It totally does not appear to be something that I would normally like, but this stuff is really good!  I really enjoyed it!  

I like that this is something that will last me and I can enjoy for awhile.  It's something I'd never pick out for myself, but it definitely is expanding my tastebuds....

 Charles Antona:  Jam

This is a delish tasting jam!  I don't eat a whole ton of jams, but this will make me grab some bagels or bake up some biscuits and give a whirl!

Another treat I can enjoy for awhile!!!

La Mere Poulard:  Sables (Cookies?)

These remind me of a shortbread cookie, I think is the kind.  These are really scrumptious although, you'll be proud to know that I DID allow my family to try one as well..

I mean, it is the month for sharing and all....

 Chestnut Spread

This was an interesting spread.  I still am kinda unsure how I feel about this one...  It's an interseting flavor...  Not bad, but it doesn't really have me coming back for seconds..  

If you know what I mean..

Fancy Salt....

I'm not even gonna bother to try to spell this fancy LONG French word...  This really confused me, I was like it's SALT... However, this is supposed to be a very famous salt... 

I feel really cool, like a PRO chef when I'm cooking with this...  I take a pinch and I sprinkle it like I'm a famous "Gordon Bleu" or "Chef Ramsey" a la carte....  

It is neat....

 Salted Butter Caramels

 I always like to save the BESTS for last and let me assure you these didn't make it one whole night in my home....  I DID share one with my daughter and my son..  So, I gave TWO away and ate the other 5 or 6 by myself...

These salted caramels are TO DIE for!  I swear to you I've never tasted anything quite so mouthwateringly delicious.  Seriously, I want a whole bucket of these for Christmas... HINT HINT anyone out there who knows where to get buckets of this stuff....  I'll gladly take them!!

Su

Overall:

I think that $39.99 for a BI-monthly service is a really great price.  It's essentially like paying $20/ monthly to get six boxes of awesomeness a year!  I truly think it's well worth the price!!  It's a subscription that I definitely could see myself getting in the future.  If I had the money to, this would be a perfect gift for my mom or my mother-in-law.

Gift Ideas:

If you are looking for the perfect gift for a loved one, then look no further than a gift that keeps on giving.  With options to choose from, this subscription service is truly an ideal gift for the "Foodie" in your life!  Try the World is truly a culinary adventure that your loved ones can enjoy and discover newfound favorites!  And they might even let you try a nibble or two!!

Subscribe and get 30% off your FIRST BOX!!

Code:  SASSYTRAVELS30 

saves you 30%!  Try:  Try the World TODAY!!

**  Please Note:  I in NO way, benefit from you using my link or subscribing to this service!! **

Boxtera: A Food Subscription Service

Boxtera:

What it is:

Boxtera is a monthly food subscription service.  The cost is $19.95/ monthly.  You receive 5 bags of healthy snacks each month!  It's a box of surprises!

Ins

My Boxtera Box:

Ok....  Y'all I am OBSESSED with my subscription services... ANYONE who knows me knows this about me!

So, I am always excited to try a new service when the opportunity presents itself to me!

So, I was so leary of trying some of these snacks, I'll be real honest...  I am not a healthy food eater by ANY means, but these snacks were a bit of a surprise.

Inside The Box:

Ok....

• Wasabi Peas
• Mango Chews
• Hibiscus
• A-Maize-Ing Pops
• Wholly Wheat Raspberry Bars

Hibiscus:

Ok, so this one was a tad scary for me...  It looks like a sea creature.

However, it was pretty good.  It was a very CHEWY texture and it tasted somewhat fruity and somewhat meaty.... 

I don't know how else to describe it!

Wasabi Peas:

This was just a NO for me...  I still have the taste in my mouth....  This is a snack that is definitely a certain kind of person's thing...  Not for the picky eater, ie. me.

Mango Chews:

These were pretty good!  A good sized portion!  They aren't my favorite, and they I believe are like a dehydrated version!  

Raspberry Wholly Wheat Bars

These were so much better than I imagined them to be.  They remind me of Fig-Newtons...  Again, I'm not a health food nut, but these were pretty good!

A-Maize-ing Pops (I keep wanting to call these Amaizing Balls)  

These were by FAR my favorite, I've almost devoured the whole bag by now!  They are really good.  They are similar to popcorn, but larger and tastier!!

Overall Thoughts:

This subscription, I think is best suited for those who have a wide range or taste buds...  Who aren't picky eaters...  For the more adventurous snacker!  It's not for the weak at heart, that is for sure!!

I am addicted to subscriptions and so, I am all for any sub... I personally, think snack subs are one of the best kind there are... Snacks delivered to your door every month!! What could be better!!

YouTube Unboxing....

Giveaway TO COME SOON!!!

I have to set this giveaway up!!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Tortuga Rum Cakes: Part of SassyHolidays Gift Guide

Tortuga for Holiday Snacks...

During the holidays we all consume an unbelievable amount of yummy treats.  If your like me, delicious snacks is always a fall back gift when I just can't think of anything else to get those people I'm just "Stuck" with ideas...  

So, when you are doing your holiday shopping this season, a great gift idea is always a delicious snack. Tortuga has got you covered.  From delicious flavored Rum Cakes to Chocolate Balls to even Marinades, they have a gift that the foodie in your life is bound to enjoy!

Tortuga Rum Cake:

The folks at Tortuga generously sent me a few samples to try for the Holiday Gift Guide.  They sent two flavor options of their Rum Cakes.  Now, I have to be honest here, I am SOOOOOO NOT a Coconut kind of girl...  So, my daughter actually tried the Coconut Rum Cake and loved it!

They have THREE different sized options for your tasting pleasure.  So, if you prefer a smaller cake or a larger one, they have the size you need!

Click HERE for tasty Tortuga Rum Cake Options

Luckily for me they also included an original Rum Cake that I was able to devour in two sittings.  These are delicious treats, but man are they sweet.  And these were the smaller sizes, but they really were the perfect size for individual use!  I like the idea of perhaps gifting this size but in maybe a quantity of four!

They also have this pretty "Cake Tower" Gift option (Under Gifts on their Site)....

It's Three Layers of Cakes all individually wrapped!

Chocolatey Treats...

If your like me, you crave CHOCOLATE..  I used to have a pillow when I was a kid, it said "Give me Chocolate or GIVE ME SLEEP.....  IT was fitting then and it's still fitting for who I am...  I LOVE chocolate treats...  Who doesn't love chocolate?? So, if you prefer gifting chocolate treats for your loved ones, Tortuga has that option as well!!

They sent me the Chocolate Rum Balls, which were delicious.  But, when looking on their site I spied some Chocolate Turtles with Rum and Sea Salt!  Oh My GOSH, those sound absolutely YUMMY!!  Turtles or "Millionaires" are actually the candy that I used to have in my stocking every year!!!  So, I'm sure that the Tortuga would be a nice and grownified version of your favorite treat!!    Click below to view the many options that Tortuga has for the chocolate lovers in your life!!

Tortuga Chocolate Treat Options...

Other Options:

While Tortuga definitely has your sweet tooth covered, they also have coffee's as well as sauces for the folks who like their Cup of Joe or love to Barbecue!  So, be sure to checkout their many different options for gifting this Holiday Season!!

My Holiday Gift Guide Surprise....

I had NO CLUE what this box was....  

Love With Food: October Unboxed a SassyHolidays Gift Idea

Love With Food:  October Unboxed

First Box is FREE:

Love with Food is a monthly subscription service.  The cost is $12 (If you pay monthly) or just $10 if you pay for the whole year!  They deliver 8-12 snacks to your door EVERY month!  They are healthy snacks!  They also have a Deluxe option in which you get DOUBLE the snack goodies!!  They also have just recently added a Gluten Free Box, for those who prefer Gluten Free Snacks!

My Referral Link for Love with Food Your FIRST box is FREE!!!!

October Unboxed....

The thing I LOVE about Love with Food, is it truly does expand my horizons food wise.  I am such a picky eater....  I almost have an aversion to health food...  If I know it is "Good For Me", I'm likely to NOT like it!!  However, since I've joined Love with Food, I've discovered that healthy eating doesn't mean gross eating...  It can really be tasty! Now, I don't love everything..  There are some items where I'm like uh... Not for me....  

Claire's Squares:

Claire's Squares on Twitter

This was a really YUMMY treat!  We added another of the October LWF items on top (the Justin's Chocolate Almond Butter) and it really was delish!!!

NutryVitta:  Cinnamon & Sugar Banana Bar

This was one of those, um... not for me moments...  This just wasn't my cup of tea so to speak...  I just didn't really like the flavor....

Surf Sweets:  Organic Jelly Beans

 Surf Sweets on Twitter

I, personally am not a Jelly Bean person...  However, Callie seemed to enjoy these.  I prefer like Gummy Bears or something.. I was really stoked until I saw these were Jelly Beans.. Oh well, you can't win them all...

Justin's Almond Butter: Chocolate & Honey

These were probably my favorite item in the whole box.  They really were delicious.  I had never tried Almond Butter before and found that it really has a nice texture and flavor!

This was one of the I LOVE MY LOVE WITH FOOD box moments!  These are what having this sub is all about, finding a new item that you will cherish and stalk after....

Connect to Justin's:Justin's on Twitter

J & M Cheese Straws

These aren't my favs...  I love cheese bits but these just really aren't for me.  I'm sure most subscribers LOVED them....  Just not me....

 Famous Brands:  Organic Falafel Chips

Famous on Twitter

These were another tasty addition to the October box that I was truly pleased with!  They are so flavorful!  They have a spicy kick to them!  I've never had "Falafal" anything, but I definitely will be looking for "Falafal" now!!

Snapea Crisps by Calbee:

Harvest Snaps on Twitter

I had previously received a bag of these from Swaggable and I have to say they are not tasty to me.  I just don't get the big deal behind these.  However, I have many friends who seem to truly enjoy them...

See, there is me and my picky eating habits giving me a headache!!!  I am sure that it's just because of my pickiness that I don't like them....

Overall:

True, this box was hit and miss for me.  But, I still found three items that I really and truly LOVED!  That's what it's all about to me.  It's about discovering new tasty snacks that you might never have had the opportunity to try otherwise.  It was through Love with Food that I discovered, Madyson's Marshmallows!!

You probably aren't going to like EVERYTHING you get in this box if you subscribe, but I truly do recommend getting it if you love snacking and want to try to find some healthy alternatives!  Our family is NOT health crazy, but we have loved these boxes and always have a few items that we just fall in love with each month!  Last month it was the Cinnamon Popcorn that LWF distributed... Sad thing is I can't find them on their site and I truly did LOVE that popcorn!!

Gift Idea:

This would make an AWESOME gift idea for someone you love!  You can save money and purchase a year subscription and it can be the gift that keeps on giving all year long!  

My YouTube Love with Food Unboxing....

Get your FIRST box FREE!!

Just click the pic below and sign up today!!